A new report says that most of the £10.9billion lost to fraud and error in Covid support schemes is now "beyond recovery."
According to the Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe, the response to the pandemic had led to "enormous outlays of public money which exposed it to the risk of fraud and error," leaving many organisations unprepared.
The report found that £5billion of the losses came from employment support schemes created by the former Conservative government, including furlough and help for the self-employed.
Although the schemes were credited with supporting the economy throughout the Covid lockdowns, Mr Hayhoe said the "outrage" at fraud, abuse and error was "undiminished".
The BBC reports Mr Hayhoe had been asked by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to investigate the losses due to his procurement experience.
The report said £1.8billion had been recovered, but "much of the shortfall is now beyond recovery."